Homeless woman's death followed release from hospital ER

Published: Sunday, September 2, 2012 at 2:40 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, September 2, 2012 at 2:40 p.m.

SARASOTA - A homeless woman who died Aug. 15 after stumbling in front of an oncoming car on U.S. 41 had walked out of Sarasota Memorial Hospital about two hours earlier.

Devon Marie McGann, 27, was so intoxicated at 5:20 p.m. that staff at the Selby Library feared for her safety and called paramedics. She could not even dial her cellphone, and was having trouble standing up.

Yet less than an hour later she walked out of the hospital's emergency room and headed north on U.S. 41 on foot.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a person who was at the hospital that night and is familiar with the case said McGann should have never been allowed to walk out of the ER because of her intoxicated state. She should only have been released to a family member, or involuntarily admitted to a detox center for 72 hours under Florida's Marchman Act.

Hospital officials declined to comment on any aspect of McGann's treatment, including her departure from the hospital.

McGann's stepmother, Mary McGann, said Devon McGann called from the ER that evening and said she would not be released unless someone picked her up from the emergency room. The family declined further comment.

But the police officer investigating the traffic fatality pulled footage from the hospital's security cameras, which he said clearly show McGann leaving alone.

People who are so intoxicated that they present a danger to themselves are supposed to be monitored, according to the hospital's policies: "If a patient is under a Baker Act or Marchman Act, court order and/or is considered a danger to self or others, security is to be notified to assist in returning the patient to the unit if possible. In addition, the police department should be notified with a request for their assistance in the patient's return."

At the library, staff had been concerned after McGann approached the reference desk and asked about computer access, said county spokesman Curt Preisser.

"The librarian noticed she was having trouble with her balance," Preisser said. "She wasn't able to dial a cellphone. She wasn't able to stand up, was very wobbly and couldn't get out of a chair."

The librarian asked a security guard to keep an eye on the woman. When McGann almost fell face-first on to the floor, the guard called 911.

"She wasn't bothering anyone," Preisser said. "This was definitely the result of her staff being concerned for the woman's safety."

After she left the hospital, McGann apparently walked more than 35 blocks north on the trail. At 8:39 p.m., just north of 18th Street, she tried crossing the busy thoroughfare from east to west.

The 29-year-old driver of the 2003 Cadillac STS that struck her never had time to react. There were no skid marks at the scene. No charges were filed.

"He was really shook up. It was pretty traumatic," said Sarasota Police Officer Travis Forrister, who is assigned to the department's traffic unit and investigated the accident. "There was nothing he could have done."

Sarasota County Medical Examiner Dr. Russell Vega said McGann had no alcohol in her system, but drugs were found. A full toxicology report is pending.

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - A homeless woman who died Aug. 15 after stumbling in front of an oncoming car on U.S. 41 had walked out of Sarasota Memorial Hospital about two hours earlier.</p><p>Devon Marie McGann, 27, was so intoxicated at 5:20 p.m. that staff at the Selby Library feared for her safety and called paramedics. She could not even dial her cellphone, and was having trouble standing up.</p><p>Yet less than an hour later she walked out of the hospital's emergency room and headed north on U.S. 41 on foot.</p><p>Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a person who was at the hospital that night and is familiar with the case said McGann should have never been allowed to walk out of the ER because of her intoxicated state. She should only have been released to a family member, or involuntarily admitted to a detox center for 72 hours under Florida's Marchman Act.</p><p>Hospital officials declined to comment on any aspect of McGann's treatment, including her departure from the hospital.</p><p>McGann's stepmother, Mary McGann, said Devon McGann called from the ER that evening and said she would not be released unless someone picked her up from the emergency room. The family declined further comment.</p><p>But the police officer investigating the traffic fatality pulled footage from the hospital's security cameras, which he said clearly show McGann leaving alone.</p><p>People who are so intoxicated that they present a danger to themselves are supposed to be monitored, according to the hospital's policies: "If a patient is under a Baker Act or Marchman Act, court order and/or is considered a danger to self or others, security is to be notified to assist in returning the patient to the unit if possible. In addition, the police department should be notified with a request for their assistance in the patient's return."</p><p>At the library, staff had been concerned after McGann approached the reference desk and asked about computer access, said county spokesman Curt Preisser.</p><p>"The librarian noticed she was having trouble with her balance," Preisser said. "She wasn't able to dial a cellphone. She wasn't able to stand up, was very wobbly and couldn't get out of a chair."</p><p>The librarian asked a security guard to keep an eye on the woman. When McGann almost fell face-first on to the floor, the guard called 911.</p><p>"She wasn't bothering anyone," Preisser said. "This was definitely the result of her staff being concerned for the woman's safety."</p><p>After she left the hospital, McGann apparently walked more than 35 blocks north on the trail. At 8:39 p.m., just north of 18th Street, she tried crossing the busy thoroughfare from east to west.</p><p>The 29-year-old driver of the 2003 Cadillac STS that struck her never had time to react. There were no skid marks at the scene. No charges were filed. </p><p>"He was really shook up. It was pretty traumatic," said Sarasota Police Officer Travis Forrister, who is assigned to the department's traffic unit and investigated the accident. "There was nothing he could have done."</p><p>Sarasota County Medical Examiner Dr. Russell Vega said McGann had no alcohol in her system, but drugs were found. A full toxicology report is pending.</p><p>Vega and Forrister said she suffered trauma to the head.</p><p>"Preliminary speed was 35 to 40 mph," Forrister said. "She was killed instantly."</p>